The London club are more likely to get the attacking midfielder in the summer but Law's attendance for talks with Schalke reflects the desire to do business before the winter window closes on Friday night.

Draxler's contract contains a £37m buy-out clause and Arsenal are not happy to pay that, believing it is too high for a 20-year-old who is not yet the finished article. But there is the feeling at Arsenal that there could be room for manoeuvre with Schalke.

Arsenal were last night on the verge of a stunning double swoop for Juventus hitman Mirko Vucinic and Schalke winger Julian Draxler.

The Gunners were locked in talks with Juve to seal a loan deal until the end of the season for Montenegro ace Vucinic, 30.

That would leave the Gunners extremely well-stocked in the attacking department, possibly overstocked, unless they were to move a fringe player out.

Schalke, though, have told ESPN FC their position remains unchanged on Draxler, and they appear unwilling to negotiate:

Having lost their position at the top of the Premier League to Manchester City this week it could be that Wenger has been shaken out of his complacent mood regarding signings and realised that to challenge City you require as much depth as them.

Manuel Pellegrini has two top players for every position, meaning he is able to rotate his squad across all competitions without losing any potency, whereas Arsenal for the most part have relied heavily upon Olivier Giroud in attack.

Per Soccerbase, the France international has already made 36 appearances this season for club and country, and it would spell disaster for Arsenal if they were to lose him to long-term injury in the same way they have lost Theo Walcott.

It may be late but any decision by Wenger to reinforce his attack will prove worthwhile in the coming months.